Partners – AGE

meet the team

The partnership comprises 6 partners from 4 European countries, with different background and skills: Higher education institutions and NGOs. Several partners have already collaborated in previous projects. Various organizations possess the collective competences to design and implement projects involving theatrical activities for the elderly. A higher education institution conducts research, while informal education programs engage both youth and adults. Entities focused on personal and professional development train facilitators for transformative community empowerment. Those specializing in mental health and support for vulnerable groups ensure inclusivity, while associations for social advancement foster a supportive cultural environment. Organizations providing social and medical assistance address specific needs, making the project accessible and enriching fror all participants. Collaboration among these entities promises a holistic approach to enhancing the lives of the elderly through theater.

The Romanian Society for Support of Elderly and Sufferers with Alzheimer’s Disease (SRA), established in 1992, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, with branches across the country. Initiated by qualified medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers, SRA focuses on community, social, and medical assistance for the elderly. As a member of Alzheimer Europe since 1994, SRA aims to mediate relationships between patients, families, and society while creating modern care systems for the elderly, especially those with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s. With over 25 years of experience, SRA is a trusted partner for professionals, patients, and families, offering information, education, early diagnosis, and interventions at the community level. Through its Memory Centre, established in 2000, SRA provides outpatient services for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive disorders, alongside support for older adults and family caregivers. Its activities span supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s, training caregivers, and utilizing gaming and ICT tools in therapies for Alzheimer’s patients.

Founded in 2006, LCM operates locally, regionally, and nationally with a diverse team of 16 professionals encompassing various expertise ranging from actors, directors, and playwrights to social workers, doctors, and researchers. Their focus lies in creating innovative solutions for social inclusion, civic engagement, and empowering individuals with fewer opportunities. Through events, cultural performances, and theatrical workshops, LCM engages communities, especially elderly individuals with cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s, promoting healthy aging and combatting isolation. Their mission is to utilize culture and performative arts as tools for wellbeing and social inclusion, targeting marginalized groups. Their main intervention areas include social theatre, youth empowerment, urban regeneration, and Alzheimer’s theatre. LCM is highly experienced in promoting social inclusion, healthy aging, and developing education modules on participatory theatre. They implement various projects involving elderly individuals, focusing on raising awareness, providing training, and organizing cultural activities for psychosocial wellbeing.

Social Cooperative Activities for Vulnerable Groups – EDRA’ is a non-profit organization dedicated to mental health and mental retardation since 2001. Committed to promoting mental health and defending the rights of vulnerable groups, EDRA operates various programs aimed at enhancing wellbeing and raising awareness. With over 120 specialized staff members, the organization has served over 7000 beneficiaries. EDRA’s sectors of operation include mental health, mental retardation, child and family support, and vulnerable social groups. Actively engaged in EU projects, EDRA focuses on preventing mental illness, promoting social inclusion, and mitigating educational inequalities. Additionally, it operates a Lifelong Education Center offering adult education and organizes training seminars for professionals in social sciences and humanities. Supported by a dedicated Volunteer Services Department, EDRA collaborates with mental health professionals to promote inclusion and raise awareness about mental health challenges.

The Rightchallenge Association is a non-governmental organisation which aims at the promotion of vocational education and training as a means of social inclusion and equal opportunities. We believe that education must focus in the integral development of all people – independently of social status, age, or gender – in order to prepare them to intervene and participate in all dimensions of society, such as family, work, community and leisure. So, as an organisation actively engaged with the community, one of our pillars is lifelong learning, because we have the conviction that it’s essential to sustainable development, as it promotes active, democratic and responsible citizenship among citizens. Rightchallenge activities are aimed to ensure quality and access to non-formal education and to overcome the deficits in access to lifelong learning in Portugal, while promoting the valorisation of human capital and generating value in organisations by providing integrated training services. Rightchallenge recognises that non-formal education and lifelong are extremely important to develop social, emotional and cognitive competences, while promoting the individuals’ personal fulfilment and well-being. As an organisation who strives for the holistic development, we promote and develop positive transformations in society and facilitate the access of learning opportunities for citizens who face educational attainment obstacles. Our specialists have a wide range of expertise in vocational education and training, educational policies and networking activities in the field of non-formal education. We create resources and curriculum (both in online and face-to-face environments) to support adult educators and other VET providers to address the needs of their target-groups.

Established in 2007, HABILITAS Association is dedicated to adult education development, delivering professional training and counseling services in social, psychological, and educational projects. Specializing in elderly care, Habilitas designs tailored training programs for home care workers, focusing on skill enhancement, communication, and elder abuse prevention. As a member of INPEA and SenioriNET, it actively participates in international and national networks dedicated to elder abuse prevention and home care services provision. Notably, it pioneered Bucharest’s first Network of Seniors Volunteers, comprising 75 trained older persons engaging in various social institutions. Additionally, Habilitas played a crucial role in formulating public policies such as the Strategy for Supporting Seniors’ Volunteering and the National Strategy for Dementia. With collaborative ties to public authorities, NGOs, universities, and trade unions, Habilitas is committed to enhancing elderly care and advocacy. Recognized for its contributions, it became a member of AGE PLATFORM EUROPE in 2022.

The University of West Attica (UNIWA), established in March 2018 by National Law 4521, resulted from the merging of the former Technological Educational Institute of Athens and Piraeus University of Applied Sciences. With approximately 52,000 undergraduate, 1,150 postgraduate, and 210 doctoral students, UNIWA is the country’s third-largest public university. It boasts academic staff and researchers from diverse fields and collaborates with domestic and international institutions to enhance study levels. UNIWA encompasses twenty-seven departments across six Schools, covering various disciplines. The Department of Social Work (DSW), part of the School of Administrative, Economics, and Social Sciences, offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, preparing students for professional careers in both public and private social services sectors. With partnerships with local and international social service agencies, DSW emphasizes research and innovation through its Research Centers, contributing to the advancement of social work education and practice.

Project no. 2 02 3 – 1 – R O 01 – K A 2 2 0 – A D U – 0001 6 09 7 3

Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the National Agency for Community Programs in the Field of Education and Vocational Training (ANPCDEFP). Neither the European Union nor ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.